Edward a



boiler (B,) which eXtends EDWARD A. L. ROBERTS AND WM. J. DEMORES'I, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR VULCANIZING- RUBBER.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 23,948,

dated May 10, 1859-; Reissued March 31,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, EDWARD A. L. ROB- En'rs and WILLIAM J. DEMoREsT, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and original Design of Stove, Boiler, &c., which we call Vulcanizing Apparatus; 7 and we do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, of which- Figure 1 is a vertical section, and Fig. 2 is a plan of the bottom of chamber (C.)

The nature of this improvement is that of a portable stove, boiler and steam chamber for vulcanizing various articles of rubber and gutta. percha.

A, is a cylindrical stove with its grate, and door for supplying coal near the bottom as will be well understood. The upper part of the stove has an opening that receives the down a considerable distance from the chamber above, for the double purpose of giving plenty of room for water and also large heating surfaces to the same. rIhe stove has the flues 6, and f,

.leading therefrom and the cold air door (fl) for the purpose of regulating the heating and cooling as hereafter more fully explained.

C, is the vulcanizing chamber. It forms part of the boiler (B,) being all cast or formed in one, but is of larger diameter.

. Between the chamber and boiler aforesaid are three annular plates or diaphragms (a, ZJ, 0,) which are thin plates of metal arranged at a small distance apart one above the other and resting on projections adapted to receive them, the plate c, being smallest and lowest and a, being largest and uppermost, which latter forms the floor of the chamber. These plates (a, b, 6,) perform an essential function in the process of vulcanizing; they are each perforated with three holes and so placed that the openings in one are covered by the plate above it (see Fig. 2,) for the purpose that while steam from the boiler below is allowed to pass readily up through and around the openings the water or the spray from it is not permitted so to pass up, but in 'dashing up against these will be deflected back, never in any case reaching the upper plate (a,) thus pre- Venting water from reaching the floor of the chamber and allowing only the steam in a good degree divested of moisture to do so.

The upper part of the chamber C, is furnished with the hand hole plate (h,) for the purpose of giving access to the chamber in charging and removing therefro-m articles.

The pressure of steam is determined by the valve (9,) and the height of water by the cock (41,) which latter should always be a trifle below the point indicated in the drawings.

In the vulcanizing process an exact temperature (about 300 degs.) is essential; to effect which, improved means of regulating the heat must be resorted to. In our plan when the door (cZ,) is closed (and the damper at being also closed, and that at (6,) being open) the full force of the draft is directed up around the boiler and into the flue (6,) thus-with the large surface of boiler eXposed-heating the same rapidly as may be desired. When however by the thermometer-which should always be attached to the chamberit is found that the heat is too great and it is desirable to suddenly reduce it, the door (d,) and the damper are opened and the flue or damper (6,) is shut this causes a rush of cold air downward along the surface of the boiler and into the flue -(f,) which rapidly cools the same` Cooling auxiliaries are mad; use of where sudden cooling is necessary by the use of water on the outer surface of the chamber C, applied with a sponge or in any convenient way. l

The whole apparatus is portable, not being more than from three to four feet high, and the boiler can be readily removed for cleaning or any purpose. Any form of diaphragm plates may be used that will give the desired result.

Having thus described our invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

The general arrangement of the stove, boiler, and vulcanizing chamber, all substantially as set forth.

EDWARD A. L. ROBERTS. WILLIAM J. DEMOBEST. Witnesses to signatures:

WM. DIXEY, NELSON BARLONE. 

